Springfield Fights Repeal Of Mass. Casino Law

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SPRINGFIELD (AP) — The city of Springfield is asking the state’s highest court to keep a proposed repeal of the Massachusetts casino gambling law off the November state ballot.

Mayor Domenic Sarno announced Thursday that he and nine other Springfield residents filed a motion with the Supreme Judicial Court, which is expected to hear arguments soon on whether to allow the ballot question to go forward.

MGM Resorts has proposed an $800 million resort casino in downtown Springfield, which was approved by city voters.

Attorney General Martha Coakley ruled the petition to repeal the law allowing up to three resort casinos and one slots parlor could not go on the ballot because it would constitute an uncompensated taking of private property.

The group Repeal the Casino the Casino Deal has asked the high court to overturn Coakley’s ruling.

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